Westwood School Named National Blue Ribbon School

LOS ANGELES, CA — Eighteen schools in Los Angeles and Orange counties were recognized Thursday by the U.S. Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools, honoring overall academic success and progress in closing achievement gaps.

The schools were among 30 honorees statewide and 372 across the nation chosen for the distinction.

The designation is based on student achievement and graduation rates, honoring schools for their overall high scores on state and national assessment tests, as well as for their ability to close achievement gaps between subgroups of students.

"As a National Blue Ribbon School, your school demonstrates what is possible when committed educators hold all students and staff to high standards and create vibrant, innovative cultures of teaching and learning," Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said in a statement.

The honorees will recognized during a two-day event in Nov. 14-15 in Washington, D.C.

The Southland schools receiving the designation were:

-- Acacia Elementary School, Fullerton Elementary School District;

-- Arroyo Vista Elementary School, South Pasadena Unified School District;

-- Circle View Elementary School, Ocean View School District (Huntington Beach);

-- Clover Avenue Elementary School, Los Angeles Unified School District;

-- El Morro Elementary School, Laguna Beach Unified School District;

-- Fairburn Avenue Elementary School, Los Angeles Unified School District;

-- Frank C. Leal Elementary School, ABC Unified School District (Cerritos);

-- Joe A. Gonsalves Elementary School, ABC Unified School District (Cerritos);

-- Longley Way Elementary School, Arcadia Unified School District;

-- Monte Vista Elementary School, Glendale Unified School District;

-- Monterey Hills Elementary School, South Pasadena Unified School District;

-- Oak Hills Elementary School, Newhall School District;

-- Oxford Academy, Anaheim Union High School District;

-- Pico Canyon Elementary School, Newhall School District;

-- Robert C. Fisler School, Fullerton Elementary School District;

-- Stevenson Ranch Elementary School, Newhall School District;

-- Stonegate Elementary School, Irvine Unified School District; and

-- Tulita Elementary School, Redondo Beach Unified School District.

Three San Diego County schools were recognized:

-- Aviara Oaks Elementary School, Carlsbad Unified School District;

-- Del Mar Hills Academy, Del Mar Union School District; and

-- Torrey Pines Elementary School in La Jolla, San Diego Unified School District.

City News Service